Ergonomic plate

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic plate is adapted for being held in one hand of a user. The plate includes a molded plate form having a topside defining a food placement area, and an opposing underside. An inwardly curved hand indent is formed along a peripheral edge of the plate form. A reinforcing fold is formed along the hand indent. The reinforcing fold is adapted for strengthening and stabilizing the molded plate form when the ergonomic plate is carried in the hand of the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ergonomic plate, and more particularly, toan ergonomic plate adapted for carrying in one hand of the user. Theinvention offers improved balance and stability in the hand. In oneembodiment, the invention comprises features intended to help stabilizethe plate on supporting surfaces which may not be substantially level.Among these features is an adjustable cup holder designed for holdingcups, cans, glasses, and other beverage containers and vessels. Theposition of the cup holder relative to the plate adjusts vertically whenthe plate is placed upon and removed from the supporting surface. Theinvention further comprises a relatively deep hand-receiving indent.This feature allows the plate to be comfortably and securely held in onehand with respective food and beverage placement areas strategicallylocated for ready access by the other, free hand of the user.

Prior art plates designed for carrying in one hand are generallycumbersome and unstable, and often require support from an area abovethe wrist and forearm in order to maintain balance. Such plates withbeverage holding areas are further prone to instability and spillage.Generally, in order to place these plates onto a table or other surface,the beverage cup must first be removed from the plate with the freehand. This process is awkward and increases the likelihood of accidents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomicplate which is especially designed for carrying in one hand.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich has improved balance when carried in the hand of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich has improved stability when carried in the hand of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich incorporates strategically located food and beverage placementareas.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich remains substantially stable when placed on an uneven surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich is dishwasher and microwave safe.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic platewhich is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an ergonomic plateadapted for being held in one hand of a user. The plate comprises amolded plate form having a topside defining a food placement area, andan opposing underside. An inwardly curved hand indent is formed along aperipheral edge of the plate form. A reinforcing fold is formed alongthe hand indent. The reinforcing fold is adapted for strengthening andstabilizing the molded plate form when the ergonomic plate is carried inthe hand of the user.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plateform has a generally circular cutout adapted for receiving a beveragecontainer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plateform further defines a plurality of indexing slots formed adjacent aninner peripheral edge of the cutout.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, anadjustable cup holder is adapted for receiving and supporting a beveragecontainer within the cutout. The cup holder has a plurality oflongitudinal tracks designed to align and mate with respective indexingslots, such that the cup holder is vertically slidable relative to theplate form.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cupholder further comprises a top annular flange adapted for engaging theplate form to limit downward sliding movement of the cup holder.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handindent defines a curvature greater than 1 inch. The curvature iscalculated by fitting a circle into the inwardly-curved periphery of theplate form, and then taking the reciprocal of the circle's radius. Thecircle radius in this case is less than 1 inch. In a more preferredembodiment, the curvature is greater than 2 inches.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handindent extends inwardly to a point less than 2 inches from alongitudinal center line of the plate form.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the foodplacement area includes first and second divided food compartments.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstfood compartment is deeper than the second food compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an arcuategrip ridges is formed with the underside of the plate form opposite thesecond food compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripridge extends outwardly from the underside of the plate form to anotional plane adjacent an outside bottom surface of the first foodcompartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plateform is asymmetric about a medial axis.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plateform defines a stem slot adapted for receiving a stem of a beverageglass.

In another embodiment, the invention is an ergonomic plate adapted forbeing held in one hand of a user. The plate includes a molded plate formhaving a topside defining a food placement area, and an opposingunderside. The plate form defines a generally circular cutout adaptedfor receiving a beverage container. The plate form further defines aplurality of indexing slots formed adjacent an inner peripheral edge ofthe cutout. An adjustable cup holder is adapted for receiving andsupporting a beverage container within the cutout. The cup holder has aplurality of longitudinal tracks designed to align and mate withrespective indexing slots, such that the cup holder is verticallyslidable relative to the plate form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ergonomic plate according to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plate;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the plate;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the plate with the cup holder removed;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the plate when lifted above a supportingsurface and showing the cup holder in its lowered condition;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the plate slightly above the supportingsurface and showing the cup holder in an intermediate-level condition;and

FIG. 5C is a side view of the plate resting upon the supporting surfaceand showing the cup holder in a fully adjusted, raised condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an ergonomic plate accordingto the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generallyat reference numeral 10. The ergonomic plate 10 is especially designedfor carrying in one hand, and has designated food and beverage holdingareas 11 and 12 strategically located to optimize balance andhandleability of the plate 10. According to one embodiment, theergonomic plate 10 comprises a molded plastic or paper plate form 14which is uniquely asymmetric about a medial axis 15. The term “molded”is used broadly herein to mean integrally-formed to a particular shapeusing any suitable manufacturing means or process.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the plate form 14 has a shaped peripheral edge 16with an inwardly-curved portion 17 defining a deep medial indent 18designed to accommodate the hand. Preferably, the indent 18substantially divides the food and beverage areas 11, 12 of the plate10, and is less than 2 inches from a longitudinal centerline 19 of theplate form 14; and more preferably, less than one inch from thelongitudinal centerline 19. The plate 10 is supported in the hand byplacing the web (space between the thumb and index finger) within theindent 18 adjacent the inwardly-curved portion 17 of the plate form 14.The thumb engages a topside of the plate form 14 along a contoured thumbridge 21, while the splayed fingers of the hand engage an underside ofthe plate form 14 along an arcuate grip ridge 22. A reinforcing fold 23extends adjacent the curved portion 17, and serves to strengthen andstabilize the molded plate form 14 when loaded with food and beverageitems. The reinforcing fold 23 enables use of a thinner plate form 14,and allows a deeper hand indent 18. The curvature “C” indicated in FIG.2 is preferably greater than 2 inches. The depth “D” of the hand indent18 is calculated by measuring the linear distance from a center point 24of the curved portion 17 to each of two parallel tangent lines 26 and27. The depth “D” is equal to the lesser of these two measurements.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate form 14 comprises adjacentrecessed food compartments 31, 32 formed with the topside, and a numberof cutouts 33, 34, and 35 adapted for supporting a wine glass “G”,beverage cup “B”, and eating utensils “U”, respectively. The first foodcompartment 31 occupies a relatively large surface area, and isrelatively shallow. The smaller food compartment 32 is relatively deep,and particularly suited for holding loose or runny foods, sauces,condiments, and the like. For added stability, the grip ridge 22 formedwith the underside of the plate form 14 preferably extends outwardly toa point located on a notional plane “P” (See FIG. 5C) extending from anoutside bottom surface of the deeper food compartment 32. The cutout 33communicates with the peripheral edge 16 of the plate form 14, and isdesigned to receive a stem of the wine glass “G”. The utensil cutout 34is designed to receive and hold at least one fork, spoon, and/or knife“U”.

The beverage cutout 35, best shown in FIG. 4, comprises a generallycircular opening designed to receive and support a removable cup holder40, shown in FIGS. 1-3, adapted for carrying the beverage cup “B”. Thecup holder 40 has three equally-spaced vertical legs 42A, 42B, and 42Cdepending from an annular top flange 43 and connecting at avessel-supporting bottom. The bottom comprises three intersectinghorizontal legs 44A, 44B, and 44C formed with respective vertical legs42A, 42B, and 42C. The vertical legs 42A-42C have integrally-formedlongitudinal tracks 45A, 45B, 45C adapted for inserting into respectiveindexing slots 46A, 46B, and 46C (FIG. 4) formed adjacent an innerperipheral edge of the cutout 35. The leading end of each track 45A-45Cis preferably vertically spaced from the bottom to facilitate insertionof the cup holder 40 into the cutout 35.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, once inserted into the beveragecutout 35, the cup holder 40 is vertically slidable relative to theplate form 14 to adjust its position as the plate 10 is placed onto andlifted from a supporting surface “S”. This adjustability is anespecially useful stabilizing feature when the plate 10 rests on unevensurfaces. The top annular flange 43 is designed to engage the plate form14 and limit downward sliding movement of the cup holder 40 whenpositioned as shown in FIG. 5A. As the plate 10 is set upon thesupporting surface “S”, the position of the cup holder 40 graduallyadjusts as shown in FIG. 5B. In this position, the user can grasp anedge of the plate 10 with his free hand and easily remove theplate-supporting hand from within the hand indent 18. When the plate 10is finally placed on the supporting surface, as shown in FIG. 5C, thecup holder 40 extends substantially above the plate form 14 with theplate 10 in a substantially level and stable condition.

An ergonomic plate is described above. Various details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, theforegoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention andbest mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

1. An ergonomic plate adapted for being held in one hand of a user, saidplate comprising: a molded plate form having a topside defining a foodplacement area, and an opposing underside; an inwardly curved handindent formed along a peripheral edge of said plate form; and areinforcing fold formed along said hand indent and adapted forstrengthening and stabilizing said molded plate form when said ergonomicplate is carried in the hand of the user.
 2. An ergonomic plateaccording to claim 1, wherein said plate form defines a generallycircular cutout adapted for receiving a beverage container.
 3. Anergonomic plate according to claim 2, wherein said plate form furtherdefines a plurality of indexing slots formed adjacent an innerperipheral edge of said cutout.
 4. An ergonomic plate according to claim3, and comprising an adjustable cup holder adapted for receiving andsupporting a beverage container within said cutout, and having aplurality of longitudinal tracks designed to align and mate withrespective indexing slots, such that said cup holder is verticallyslidable relative to said plate form.
 5. An ergonomic plate according toclaim 4, wherein said cup holder further comprises a top annular flangeadapted for engaging said plate form to limit downward sliding movementof said cup holder.
 6. An ergonomic plate according to claim 1, whereinsaid hand indent defines a curvature greater than 2 inches.
 7. Anergonomic plate according to claim 1, wherein said hand indent extendsinwardly to a point less than 2 inches from a longitudinal center lineof said plate form.
 8. An ergonomic plate according to claim 1, whereinsaid food placement area comprises first and second divided foodcompartments.
 9. An ergonomic plate according to claim 8, wherein saidfirst food compartment is deeper than said second food compartment. 10.An ergonomic plate according to claim 9, and comprising an arcuate gripridge formed with the underside of said plate form opposite said secondfood compartment.
 11. An ergonomic plate according to claim 10, whereinsaid grip ridge extends outwardly from the underside of said plate formto a notional plane adjacent an outside bottom surface of said firstfood compartment.
 12. An ergonomic plate according to claim 1, whereinsaid plate form is asymmetric about a medial axis.
 13. An ergonomicplate according to claim 1, wherein said plate form defines a stem slotadapted for receiving a stem of a beverage glass.
 14. An ergonomic plateadapted for being held in one hand of a user, said plate comprising: amolded plate form having a topside defining a food placement area, andan opposing underside; said plate form defining a generally circularcutout adapted for receiving a beverage container; said plate formfurther defining a plurality of indexing slots formed adjacent an innerperipheral edge of said cutout; an adjustable cup holder adapted forreceiving and supporting a beverage container within said cutout, andhaving a plurality of longitudinal tracks designed to align and matewith respective indexing slots, such that said cup holder is verticallyslidable relative to said plate form.
 15. An ergonomic plate accordingto claim 14, wherein said cup holder further comprises a top annularflange adapted for engaging said plate form to limit downward slidingmovement of said cup holder.
 16. An ergonomic plate according to claim14, wherein said food placement area comprises first and second dividedfood compartments.
 17. An ergonomic plate according to claim 16, whereinsaid first food compartment is deeper than said second food compartment.18. An ergonomic plate according to claim 17, and comprising an arcuategrip ridge formed with the underside of said plate form opposite saidsecond food compartment.
 19. An ergonomic plate according to claim 18,wherein said grip ridge extends outwardly from the underside of saidplate form to a notional plane adjacent an outside bottom surface ofsaid first food compartment.
 20. An ergonomic plate according to claim14, wherein said plate form defines a stem slot adapted for receiving astem of a beverage glass.